Dale Simon, age 77 of Bottineau, passed away on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at a Grand Forks care center.  A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at 10:00 am at the Oak Creek Cemetery in Bottineau.  Visitation will be Monday from 1:00 pm until 7:00 pm at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.

Dale George Simon was born on May 2, 1946 to Peter Ambrose Simon and Myrtle (Ohmart) Simon in Bottineau, ND. Dale attended Bottineau Public Schools until he enlisted into the U.S. Navy in 1965. He was assigned to the U.S.S. Yorktown until 1967 and then was reassigned to the U.S.S. Hornet until 1969. Dale's claim to fame was that while on the U.S.S Hornet, his ship recovered the Apollo 11 astronauts and space capsule in July of 1969. He returned back to Bottineau after he was Honorably Discharged where he worked with the Beyer Family at Ace Hardware. He met Karen Hagen in March of 1971 and then were married a year later on April 7, 1972. Dale and Karen welcomed their first child, Peter and then Joanne a year later. They then moved to Westhope, ND in January of 1974 where Dale started his policing career. In 1976, the family moved back to Bottineau, ND where Dale began working with Bottineau County Sheriff's Department until his retirement in 2011. After his retirement, he was an active member of the AM Vets, American Legion and VFW. Dale and Karen celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary on April 7, 2022. Dale and Karen were always together. They enjoyed going out for coffee, out to dinner and supper, movies, a drive up to the lake or around town to see what was going on. In July of 2021, Dale was diagnosed with dementia and in January of 2022, he was moved to Grand Forks to get the specialized care that he needed.

Dale raised his kids to be independent and strong. There was no such thing as a boy or girl task. He taught them to paint, mow, fix our cars, cook, cut wood, start the wood stove, garden, identify tools, you name it he made sure they knew how to do anything. He always said, if you want it done right, do it yourself. He was also there for a hug or to give advice, even if it was advice that you didn't want to hear.

Throughout Dale's life, he enjoyed helping everyone and anyone. If you needed your washing machine fixed...call Dale, if your car was broken...call Dale, if you needed a fishing buddy...call Dale. You name it, he would drop everything and come to you. Dale would give you the last shirt off his back. Early on, Dale enjoyed hunting and fishing and then later found a love for woodworking. Dale was blessed with three amazing grandkids, Ellie, Zachary and Elizabeth. He loved every minute of time that he spent with them. Whether it was playing catch, taking them fishing, coloring, going to Dairy Queen, or going up to the courthouse to show off the grandkids, he cherished those moments.

Dale passed peacefully with his family by his side on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 in Grand Forks.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Myrtle, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Clarence and Maryann Hagen.

Dale leaves behind his wife, Karen (Hagen) Simon, son Peter (Denise) Simon and daughter Joanne (Justin) Karch, along with three grandchildren, Ellie (Alex) Kiser, Zachary Simon and Elizabeth Simon, brother Ralph Simon and sister Marilyn Holen.

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer that you donate to the Alzheimer's Association, your local police/sheriff's office or veteran's group.